Rapid Reaction: LSU loses 16-10 to Florida as Tigers don't punch it in on the final play

Billy Embody

11/19/2016

LSU dropped the team's final game in Tiger Stadium 16-10 to Florida on the final play of the game.

How it Happened

It was a struggle for both teams to capitalize on opportunities on Saturday as LSU and Florida battled it out with everything on the line with a trip to Atlanta for the Gators and Ed Orgeron battling to keep the job full-time. The final play of the game was short for LSU as Derrius Guice went over the top, but couldn't make the goal line. LSU though beat themselves against the Gators by not capitalizing on multiple chances inside the 5-yard line throughout the game. The Tigers allowed a 98-yard touchdown pass to Tyrie Cleveland that was the difference in the game for the most part as the Gators mustered just three field goals.

The Tigers outgained the Gators 423 to 270, but it didn't matter as LSU couldn't punch it in from the goal line. LSU couldn't capitalize on all the opportunities and dropped the game 16-10.

What it Means

Well, it would appear that Ed Orgeron's chances for the job took a huge hit with the loss to Florida. It'd be tough to imagine the LSU brass sticking with Orgeron now that the Tigers fell to Florida at home with how injured the Gators were and with a backup quarterback playing. It's a rough end to 5-game stretch that saw Ed Orgeron put his name firmly in the mix for the head coaching, but now, all of that is in question.

Player of the Game: Dwayne Thomas

Dwayne Thomas played his heart out in his final game in Tiger Stadium at the nickelback spot. Dave Aranda used him in multiple ways on Saturday and Thomas finished with four tackles, two tackes for loss, a sack, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. LSU held the Gators on multiple occasions because of Thomas and the senior stepped up as he had the last few games.

Side Note

LSU had the ball three times inside the 5-yard line and didn't capitalize. A missed field goal, a fumble and Guice getting stuffed on the final play ended the Tigers chances of beating the Gators. The Gators scored three points off the turnovers, but hit a 98-yard touchdown to win it after one of the stops.

What's Next?

The Tigers go on the road to Texas A&M on Thanksgiving with not much to play for at this point. The Tigers and Aggies kick off on Thursday at 6:30 pm CT.